Norwich Tech advances to CSC semifinals

A play on the basepaths in the top of the fifth inning of a tie game resulted in a key out and shifted the momentum to the Warriors, who took advantage by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning to walk away with a 4-1 win in the Constitution State Conference quarterfinal game....

Norwich Tech baseball coach Tim DeLucia said he teaches his players that the fielders have the right of way, and as runners they must allow them the opportunity to field the ball.

In the heat of a game, that’s sometimes easier said than done. Grasso Tech found that out on Monday.

A play on the basepaths in the top of the fifth inning of a tie game resulted in a key out and shifted the momentum to the Warriors, who took advantage by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning to walk away with a 4-1 win in the Constitution State Conference quarterfinal game.

Third-seeded Norwich Tech (12-7) will play second-seeded Kaynor Tech, a 7-4 winner over Vinal Tech, at 4 p.m. today in a CSC semifinal game in Waterbury.

“I’ve been preaching all year long that I want the league title and I want to make a run in the states,” DeLucia said. “Hopefully, we make it through (today), but I’m not satisfied with just (today), either. If we get to Eastern (Connecticut State University for the championship at 4 p.m. Thursday), I will be so happy. The kids deserve it.”

Warriors third baseman Bryce Bedard had a 50-50 fifth inning; all four balls that were hit went to him. He misfired on two, allowing a run to score, but it was his decision to stay in a play — even if it meant sacrificing his own body — that ultimately turned the game.

The fourth-seeded Eagles had tied the game, and with two outs Bedard was about to take a ground ball. He threw off the mark to first, but the Eagles’ Zach Willis decided to break for third on the play. The relay got to Bedard at the same time as Willis.

“I was just hoping I had the ball. That was my first priority, and I threw my glove down in anger and that’s when the ball popped out,” Bedard said. “His knee went into the side of my face and I was hurt. That’s why I threw the glove down.”

“(The umpires) called obstruction on my player when he was in the basepath and the defender was in his way, and it changed the whole game,” Flores said. “I think my guy was safe when (Bedard) dropped the ball, but the (umpires) thought otherwise.”

The Eagles (8-12) let some of that frustration show in the bottom of the inning. Bryan Cespedes walked the first two batters, but got help when Steve Sieczkowski was thrown out attempting to steal third. Senior Tommy Jankowski followed with a base hit, which set up what proved to be the game-winning run.

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A pitch from Cespedes (5-3) got away from catcher Drew Pelland, who never saw where the ball went. That allowed Sam Blanchette to score all the way from second. Bedard then helped bring home another when his infield ground ball was misplayed.

“How about that kid’s toughness? He gets kicked in the head and comes up and puts the ball in the play,” DeLucia said of Bedard. “I always tell the kids, ‘Put the ball in play and good things are going to happen,’ and it did (Monday).”